Visitor's Guide

Asheville is nestled between the Blue Ridge Mountains and Great Smoky Mountains
in Western North Carolina. Asheville boasts pleasant year-round weather and serves
as the county seat of Buncombe County. The city has a population of approximately
75,000 and is the largest city in Western North Carolina, the ninth largest city
in the State. Asheville is also part of the four-county Asheville metropolitan statistical
area, the population of which was estimated by the Census Bureau in 2006 to be 398,009.

Climate

Asheville has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. Year-round,
the average relative humidity in the morning is 90% and in the afternoon is 58%.
Summers are mild and afternoon thunderstorms are not uncommon. In the fall (peaking
in October), the area is very popular with "leaf lookers", people who visit Asheville
and the surrounding mountains to see the area's splendid foliage. Winters are generally
mild and major snow storms are rare- usually the area receives multiple snow flurries
averaging an inch or two at a time, normally melting off in a day or two.

Get in

Downtown Asheville

By plane

The
Asheville Regional Airport
(AVL), 8 miles from the cottages, offers jet and commuter service on Continental, Delta, DayJet, Northwest,
and US Airways; direct flights are available from Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati,
Detroit, Houston, Minneapolis, and Newark. It is located fifteen miles south of
downtown Asheville near the town of Fletcher. Ground transportation and major rental
car companies are available at the airport terminal.

By train

The closest
Amtrak
train station to Asheville is in Greenville, South Carolina
or Spartanburg, South Carolina.

By car

Asheville is located at the junction of Interstate 26 and Interstate 40, with an
I-240 connector that passes through downtown. Mountainous, curvy, and scenic sections
of highway are found along the interstates in all four directions while traveling
into Asheville. The Asheville area is also served by 10 US and state highways. The
Blue Ridge Parkway has four primary accesses in Asheville at US 25, US 70, US 74A
& NC 191.

By bus

Get around

By car

A car is definitely your best bet. Street parking is metered Monday through Saturday,
8AM–6PM at $1 per hour. Street parking is free on Sundays, evenings and official
city holidays (New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas). In addition to street and garage
parking, there are several surface lots throughout downtown. There are three parking
decks, accessible 24 hours a day. Attendants are on duty 10AM–7PM Monday through
Friday.

By taxi

Within the City of Asheville, fares are as follows: For the initiation (drop) of
the meter - $2.50; For each one-tenth mile after initiation - $0.25; For each passenger
in excess of two - $2.00; For each two minutes of waiting time or fraction thereof
after the first two minutes - $0.40

Airport Limousine & Taxi Service,
+1 828 253-3311.

Beaver Lake Cab Co,
+1 828 252-1913.

Jolly Taxi,
+1 828 253-1411.

Metro Cab,
+1 828 254-1155.

New Blue Bird Taxi Co,
+1 828 258-8331.

Red Cab Co,
+1 828 232-1112.

Yellow Cab Co,
+1 828 252-1913.

Your Cab,
+1 828 259-9904.

By bike

Bike rentals are available at BioWheels, 81 Coxe Ave,
+1 828 236-BIKE. Self-guided tour routes, maps and guidebooks are available for
bicycle rides on the area forest lands, on the Blue Ridge Parkway and around downtown
Asheville.

All buses in the Asheville Transit System are equipped with bike racks.

By bus

Asheville Transit provides bus service that is regular but infrequent outside of
downtown; inside downtown walking is almost always faster. Buses run from 6AM-11:30PM
Monday through Saturday. Routes radiate from the Transit Center, located downtown
at 49 Coxe Avenue next to the U.S. Post Office. Bus fare is $1 for adults and $0.50
for seniors and handicapped individuals. A "fare-free" zone exists in the downtown
area containing almost all of the businesses, restaurants and attractions of downtown.
Riders can take any bus in the system within the Free Zone at no charge.

See

Architecture

Asheville is nationally renowned for its unique architecture, especially downtown
and around the Biltmore Estate. The city suffered greatly during the Great Depression,
and consequently little development happened during the time. This actually had
a positive effect, as the city's famous Art Deco Architecture of the Roaring 20's
was saved from destruction. Therefore, today, Asheville boasts the nation's most
complete collection of Art Deco structures. Other architectural styles, of course,
are present in abundance throughout the city; from the Neo-Gothic Jackson Building
"Skyscraper" to the Modern BB&T Tower.
Buncombe County Courthouse

The Biltmore Estate, 1 Approach Rd,
1-800-624-1575. A French Renaissance-inspired chateau; with over 250 rooms, it is
the largest single family home in the U.S. and the largest privately-owned house
in the world, just a few minutes outside the city and should be on any visitor's
itinerary. Basic admission includes access to the fabulous gardens, stables, expansive
hiking trails, winery and self-guided house tour. Adults $29-$49, Youth price half-admission,
Children 9 and under are free.

The City Building. Designed by Art Deco architect Douglas Ellington and completed
in 1927, the City Building is constructed out of Georgia Pink marble, brick, and
terra cotta. The steeped, octagonal shaped roof is the logo of the City of Asheville.

Grove Arcade, 1 Page Ave. M-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 12PM-5PM. Commissioned by Dr. E. W.
Grove, the Grove Arcade is an elaborate Tudoresque building occupying an entire
city block. It is particularly worth noting, as it was, when it was built in 1927
by architect Charles N. Parker, one of the nation's most unique and interesting
buildings. On each side of this city landmark, four giant arches allow entrance
into the building. On the main side facing the equally impressive Victorian Battery
Park Hotel, are two monumental gryphons, guarding the entrance into the expansive
interior, which features oak shopfronts, spiral staircases, and opulence around
every corner. Today, it serves as an influential public market with several restaurants,
vendors, and mountain craft shops.

Grove Park Inn, 290 Macon Ave. Completed in 1913, this historic resort hotel is
an important example of the Arts and Crafts style.

Jackson Building. Bordered by South Market Street and South Pack Square, completed
in 1925. A Neo-Gothic style skyscraper complete with gargoyles and a bell tower.

Masonic Temple, 80 Broadway St. Features robust brickwork and a tall portico of
paired Ionic columns. A three-story, blind arched window is on its Woodfin Street
side.

Vance Monument. Stands about 10 stories high, in the middle of Pack Square, Asheville's
version of Times Square, Place de la Concorde and Piccadilly Circus. It is the heart
of both downtown and the entire city.

YMI Building, at the corner of South Market and Eagle St. M-Sa 10AM-5PM. A simplified
English Tudor Cottage style with pebble-dashed walls, red brick quoin trim, multi-pane
windows and hipped roofs.

Churches:

Basilica of St. Lawrence

Basilica of St. Lawrence, 97 Haywood St. Designed and built in 1905, the Basilica
is on the National Register of Historic Places and was elevated in status to a Minor
Basilica in 1993 by Pope John Paul II. Features the largest freestanding elliptical
dome in North America. This place is gorgeous and a must-see.

Central United Methodist Church, 27 Church St. Erected in 1902, the imposing limestone
church presents Romanesque Revival style massing and forms, but the detailing more
closely reflects the Gothic Revival style. A five-bay loggia, set between two pinnacled
towers, fronts the large, gable-roofed auditorium.

First Baptist Church, 5 Oak St. In Art Deco/Romantic style, Douglas Ellington's
first big commission in Asheville. A beautiful distinctive dome with a copper cupola
cap.

First Presbyterian Church, 40 Church St. Commissioned in 1884, the Gothic Revival
style brick nave and tower feature deep-corbelled cornices, hood-molded windows
and blind arcading at the eaves.

Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 47 Eagle St. A redbrick late Victorian Gothic church featuring
a tin-shingled roof where three towers are topped by ornamental sheet-metal finials.
A large number of Art Glass windows ornament the towers and walls. Built in 1919.

St. Matthias Episcopal Church, 1 Dundee St. A Gothic-style building with a gable
roof nave. The brick walls are laid with a darker shade of headers presenting a
horizontal texture to the building's surface on every face. The interior contains
a rich display of well maintained dark woodwork fashioned in various Gothic motifs.
The pulpit, lectern, altar and other furnishings are all original to the church
and are decorated with trefoil arch panels, quatrefoil incisions and other Gothic
elements.

Trinity Episcopal Church, 60 Church St. Designed in 1912, the Tudor Gothic Revival
style brick building with granite trim features a simple, gable-roofed sanctuary
with transepts and a short corner tower.

Museums

Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Sq,
+1 828 253-3227. Tu-Th 10AM-5PM, F 10AM-8PM, Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 1PM-5PM. A collection
of the very best of 20th and 21st century American art. Adults $6, Students/Seniors
$5, Children under 4 are free. Free admission the first Wednesday of every month
3PM-5PM.

Autorickshaw Tours, 235 Montford Ave,
+1 828 777-1014. Tours last approximately one hour and run 10:30AM-4PM by reservation
on weekends. A historic/architectural tour of Montford including Riverside Cemetery.
The autorickshaw holds two per tour. $35 for two people.

LaZoom Comedy Tours, 90 Biltmore Ave (departs from the French Broad food Co-op across
the street from the Orange Peel),
+1 828 225-6932. LaZoom Comedy Tours is "A Tour with a Twist!" You'll get all of
the facts plus loads of fun. Your costumed tour guide will take you and your family
on a 90 minute adventure covering all of the points of interest. This isn't your
grandma's tour (but she can still come). $22.

Urban Trail. A self-guided walking tour in downtown Asheville, tracing the footsteps
of Asheville's historic past. Twenty-seven "stations" are highlighted in this continuous
1.6 mile loop, from churches and buildings to streets and landmarks. Guided tours
are available April through November on Saturdays at 3PM. Tours leave from the front
desk inside Pack Place. Headsets and maps are available for self-guided tours. $5.

Festivals

Asheville Fringe Arts Festival. Held annually at the end of January.

Jazz After Five, 1 Page Ave (in the Atrium of Historic Grove Arcade). 5PM-8PM. Held
in the third Friday of each month from January through April.

Mountain Sports Festival. Pro and amateur athletes compete in mountain sports. Live
music, food, and demos. Held each May.

Downtown After Five, North Lexington Ave at I-240 and Hiawassee. 5PM-9PM. Held the
third Friday of each month from May through September, featuring free outdoor local
music and plenty of shopping and eating opportunities. Free.

Shindig on the Green, Martin Luther King Jr. Park. 7PM-10PM. Music and dance traditions
of Southern Appalachia. Held from the end of June through the beginning of September.
Free.

Bele Chere, Downtown Asheville. Bele Chere is touted as the largest street festival
in the Southeast. Hundreds of artists, artisans, musicians, and performers come
from all over the region to take part in the festivities. Held annually on the last
weekend of July. Free.

Goombay! Festival. An African-Caribbean style festival. Held each August.

Organicfest, Battery Park Avenue and Otis Street (by the Grove Arcade). 10AM-6PM.
A festive day of live music, organic food and drink, organic and green goods, and
fun activities for kids of all ages.

Lexington Avenue Arts and Fun Festival, Lexington Avenue. A unique all local music
and arts event held each September.

Great Smokies Craft Brewers Brewgrass Festival, Martin Luther King Jr ballfield.
12PM-7PM. Over 30 American breweries showcase more than 100 different beers, along
with music from national and regional bluegrass musicians. Held each September.
$30.

Fiesta Latina. A celebration of Latin American culture.

Asheville PrideFest. A forum for building community and to honor the many facets
of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered family.

The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave,
+1 828 225-5851. Box office open W-Sa 12PM-5:30PM. Standing capacity of 942, shows
local and nationally touring acts. In 2008, Rolling Stone magazine named the Peel
one of the top five rock clubs in America. Non-smoking.

The Emerald Lounge, 112 N Lexington Ave. A hot spot for live music and dancing.

Theatre

Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre. Western North Carolina's first modern dance
company. A diverse repertory reflects both traditional and experimental forms of
modern dance.

Asheville Lyric Opera. Productions of opera, operetta, and musicals, performed in
the company's home, the Diana Wortham Theatre.

Asheville Symphony. Presents seven full orchestra concerts a year at the Thomas
Wolfe Auditorium in the Asheville Civic Center.

Diane Wortham Theatre. Located within the Pack Place Education Arts and Science
Center on Pack Square, the theatre offers live performances of music, theatre and
dance by nationally touring artists and professional regional arts groups.

enigmatic theatre company. Asheville's only theatre company dedicated exclusively
to the production of new work. Typically produces two-three full length works or
collections of one-acts per year.

Montford Park Players. Free Shakespeare and other classic plays held at the Hazel
Robinson Amphitheatre in Montford.

North Carolina Stage Company, Stage Lane across from Zambra Restaurant off of Walnut
Street, +1 828 350-9090. Asheville's only professional theatre. Voted Best Local
Theatre by readers of Mountain Xpress for four years running. Winner George A. Parides
Award for Outstanding Professional Theatre, North Carolina Theatre Conference. NC
Stage Company, now in its sixth season, has something either in rehearsal or performance
49 out of 52 weeks.

Outdoors

Hiking:

The Blue Ridge Parkway

Blue Ridge Parkway,
+1 828 298-0398. Some of the most beautiful (and abundant) waterfalls can be reached
via the Blue Ridge Parkway. Park your car on any Parkway overlook and there will
most likely be a trail nearby. Popular spots include Mount Pisgah (15 miles south
on the Parkway), Graveyard Fields (25 miles south on the Parkway), Craggy Gardens
(24 miles north on the Parkway), and Mount Mitchell, the eastern United States highest
mountain (35 miles/1 hour drive north on the Parkway). The Parkway intersects Asheville
at US 25, US 70, US 74A & NC 191.

Botanical Gardens at Asheville. Open from dawn to dusk. A half-mile loop across
streams, through meadows, and over a woodland ridge to a wildflower cove with an
authentic log cabin. Just three miles north of downtown beside the University of
North Carolina at Asheville. Free.

Pisgah National Forest,
+1 828 257-4200. Much of Western North Carolina is covered by national forest, making
it a hiker's paradise. For maps or information on great places to hike, call the
National Forest Service.

Sports

The Asheville Tourists, 30 Buchanan Pl (McCormick Field). Come support Asheville's
own minor league baseball team! The Tourists offer a full season running from May
through early September, and every Thursday is 'Thirsty Thursday' where a cup of
draft beer is only $1. Adults $7, Children, Seniors, & Military $6.

The Asheville Grizzlies, 30 Buchanan Pl (Memorial Stadium). A professional minor
league men's football team.

Buy

Asheville does not necessarily have a specific commercial district but rather it
resembles a long line, curving through the mountains. Beginning directly west of
downtown, Merrimon Avenue has many low density restaurants and small shopping strip
malls. It is the typical American shopping street and many locals consider it "The
Strip." As you move east towards the city-center, the modern Merrimon Avenue merges
with Patton Avenue (which is considered the city's 'Main Street'), forming an immediate
contrast between the old and the new. Patton Avenue then directly cuts through the
center of downtown, ending at the city's heart, Pack Square, home to the Vance Monument,
located directly in front of City-County Plaza.

Surrounding this area, Downtown, you will find many boutiques, cafes, museums, and
interesting historical buildings. At the eastern end of downtown, a tunnel is carved
directly into Sunset Mountain. The recently renovated street leading out of downtown
and into the mountain goes into the edifice as College Street and comes out as Asheville's
most celebrated shopping street, Tunnel Road.

Tunnel Road is very commercial and hosts mostly large corporate chains. Recently,
construction has boomed along this stretch, and reaching towards the skies above
the restaurants and stores you will see some brand new hotels. Finally, Tunnel Road
transitions into South Tunnel Road, which is home to the city's main mall and smaller
chain shopping centers. This area of town is not at all touristy, and prices are
average and intended for locals.

At the end of South Tunnel Road there is a vast shopping center that extends across
the Swannanoa River and up over the mountain, eventually overlooking the Industrial
district, containing a relatively new and quite controversial shopping complex along
the river, having the city's Super Walmart as its flagstore. It was built upon the
rubble of the abandoned Sayles-Biltmore Bleachery, which used to bleach paper for
the US Treasury's currency manufacture.

Downtown Asheville is full of neat and quirky shops and prides itself on the lack
of corporate chain stores. Spend some time exploring downtown (it's very walkable)
and see what you can find. Here are some highlights:

The Grove Arcade. A newly-restored and exquisite building built by E.W. Grove, who
also designed the Grove Park Inn in the 1920s. It is filled with specialty food
markets, restaurants, and local mountain craft stores.

Malaprop's Bookstore & Cafe, 55 Haywood St. An independent bookstore with a good
selection and an open mind. Great staff recommendations. Grab a book or bring your
own and relax in the cafe with coffee and a sandwich.

Mast General Store, 15 Biltmore Ave. Has an old-fashioned to modern day assortment
of products. Old-time candy in barrels to hiking and camping equipment and apparel.

Lexington Avenue is one of Asheville's hippest streets. For your music needs
visit
Static Age Records
, specializing in vinyl, punk rock and heavy metal. Instant Karma and the
Octopus Garden specialize in smoking accessories along with a wide variety
of other products. Hip Replacements has some great vintage clothing, while up the
block Spiritex offers a wide variety of sustainably produced clothing. Buy a used
book or read the newspaper or a magazine at Downtown Books and News. Get a tattoo
at Liquid Dragon, and stop by one of the many restaurants on Lexington for a quick
bite. On the next block up is the Chevron Trading Post for all of your beading needs,
and Tops for Shoes, the biggest shoe store in Asheville. While many wonderful stores
and hot spots along this street are facing increasing pressure from landlords who
want to "gentrify" the area, Lexington is still the best place to get a taste of
Asheville's counterculture.

Biltmore Village Just South of Asheville's downtown, and right outside the gates
of the Biltmore Estate is the quaint village built around the 1890's called Biltmore
Village. It is easily accessed from I-40 (Exit 50). A number of small independently
owned retail stores which have carved out specialty niches can be found intermingled
with restaurants beneath the shade of the tree-lined streets. Recently, National
Specialty stores and a boutique Hotel have begun construction there. Of particular
note are the following:

New Morning Gallery. Probably the best collection of regional Arts and Crafts in
Western North Carolina. The gallery features ceramics, glass, jewelery and furniture
from local Appalachian artisans. It is located in front of Bella Vista Art Gallery

River Arts District Wrapped along the river, and visible from the bridge over the
French Broad River (i.e. from I-240 or Patton Ave.) is an enclave of Art Studios,
Galleries, and restaurants that is still not quite user-friendly but accessible
to the adventurous. Some worthy points of interest are:

The Old Cotton Mill Building Owned by Marty and Eileen Black and inhabited by a
mixed group of artists and studios.

The Phil Mechanic Building Cutting edge Galleries, artists and a Bio-diesel plant
can be found if you wander around inside the old building. Jolene Mechanic, the
owner, is a great resource for getting to know the area.

240 Clingman This was originally a warehouse. Right after the Katrina Hurricane
it was turned into a gallery by the owners of Bella Vista Art Gallery. After they
left, Jonas Gerard, from Miami, took over the space. He was featured on 20/20 and
has some eye-popping art on display, and for sale.

The Wedge Filled with little art galleries, artists, a brewery, fine porcelain and
mechanical dinosaurs is interesting but not for the timid.

Head away from downtown and visit the WNC Farmer's Market for a huge selection of
locally grown and produced crops 'n' crafts. You could spend hours and still not
see everything.

Rosetta's Kitchen, 116 N Lexington Ave,
+1 828 232-07. Serves vegetarian/vegan (mostly organic) delicious food in a very
unique atmosphere. It's open until 3AM on most nights, and you're sure to find an
assortment of interesting characters no matter the time of day. $3-$9.

Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company, 675 Merrimon Ave,
+1 828 254-1281. Known to locals as the APBC or Brew n' View, is a good place to
relax with a beer, have excellent pizza (available by the slice), and watch a movie
for $2. No smoking indoors, and the front patio has little to no cover from the
weather. $5-$7.

Drink

Liquor is available by the drink in Asheville, but if you want to buy liquor by
the bottle you must do it at state-run ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Commission) stores
rather than at a traditional liquor store. If you plan to explore nearby counties
keep in mind Madison County (to the north) and Yancey County (to the northwest)
are "dry counties" and prohibit all alcoholic beverage sales. Open containers of
alcohol are never permitted on the street; if you order a beverage you must finish
it before leaving the restaurant or bar. Beer and wine are available for purchase
at most markets, grocery stores and gas stations. The alcohol laws of the state
prohibit the sale of alcohol after 2AM Monday through Saturday, and from 2AM until
noon on Sundays. Pick up a copy or check the website of the local alternative newsweekly
Mountain Xpress for an up-to-date, detailed guide for what is going on at each bar
and club for the night.

Downtown:

Asheville Brewing Company, 77 Coxe Ave. A brewpub with their own locally-brewed
beers on tap and a full liquor bar, piles of board games, and a large outdoor covered
patio with giant movie screen.

Barley's Taproom, 42 Biltmore Ave,
+1 828 255-0504. A popular destination with an expansive variety of beers, local,
regional, and continental. 52 beers on tap. Small stage with live music 3-4 nights
a week, no cover charge. Upstairs Billiard Room where smoking is allowed after 10PM,
with four tables available by the hour.

Bier Garden, 46 Haywood St,
+1 828 285-0002. Daily 11AM-2AM. Over 200 beers from around the world and a full
liquor bar. For the sports fans, they have 16 televisions including a 15-foot screen.

Usual Suspects, 791 Merrimon Ave,
+1 828 350-8181. Closed Sundays. A hotspot for many locals with a large crowd of
'regulars', featuring beer and cocktails, a comprehensive wine list full of boutique
wines, and a menu ranging from simple pub to more exotic fare. Smoking is allowed,
dartboards are in the back.

East:

French Broad Brewery Tasting Room, 101 Fairview Rd,
+1 828 277-0222. Until 8PM. Offers tastings, tours and live music five nights a
week in a relaxed, intimate setting.

Contact

The area code for Asheville is 828. For calls within the US or Canada, dial 1+area
code+number. There are some public pay phones scattered around the city, but they
are becoming increasingly rare with the predominance of cell phones. It is not safe
to assume you will be able to find a pay phone at any given time. All ZIP codes
in the city of Asheville begin with 288. The ZIP code of the downtown area is 28801.

Get out

View from Grandfather Mountain on the Blue Ridge Parkway

A thirty-mile drive south to Flat Rock will bring you to the Flatrock Playhouse
where dramas, comedies, and musicals are shown April through December. Also in Flat
Rock is the Carl Sandburg Home. This historic site consists of a 22 room house,
barns, sheds, rolling pastures, walking trails, two small lakes, ponds, flower and
vegetable gardens, and an orchard.

A thirty-mile drive west to Waynesville during the last weeks of July will bring
you to Folkmoot, a festival of song and dance staged by performance groups from
around the world.

The town of Brevard, an hour drive southwest, hosts the Brevard Music Festival each
summer. Lasting almost two months, a variety of musical events ranging from grand
operas and symphony orchestras to Broadway musicals and pop concerts as well as
renowned guest artists are featured.

A 45 minute drive north brings you to the Hot Springs Resort and Spa. Reserve the
jacuzzi-style tub of your choice, all individually enclosed and private. Bring a
bottle of champagne and spend an hour or two. Hot Springs also has a few campgrounds
and is passed through by the Appalachian Trail.

The Cradle of Forestry located about 20 miles southwest of Asheville off U.S. Highway
276 in the Pisgah National Forest in Transylvania County. Visitors will find a number
of hiking trails in the area. Open 9AM-5PM, mid April through the end of October.
$5 for adults, 16 and under free.

A very popular tourist attraction is Chimney Rock Park. Located
25 miles (about a 30 minute drive) southeast of Asheville in scenic Hickory Nut
Gorge. It's a privately owned park (not part of the US system) with a fairly high
admission fee ($14 for adults as of 2005), but the views are incredible and there
are six different hiking trails, ranging in difficulty from easy-to-moderate to
moderate-to-strenuous. Open all year.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located on the border
of North Carolina and Tennessee and is the country's most visited national park.
A variety of trails for hikers of any age or skill level are available.

Gorges State Park is approximately 45 miles southwest of Asheville,
located in Transylvania County and joins the North Carolina/South Carolina state
line. Gorges State Park has over 80 inches of rain a year making it a temperate
rain forest. The plunging waterfalls, rugged river gorges, sheer rock walls, and
concentration of rare and unique species makes this a wonderful park to visit.